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A Rapid Solar Reduction Method to TiO2/MoO2/Graphene Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Water Splitting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 March 2015

Jyothirmayee Aravind.S.S
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, U.S.A.
Kandalam Ramanujachary
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, U.S.A.
Timothy D. Vaden
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, U.S.A.
Amos Mugweru
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Semiconductor photocatalysis has emerged as an interesting area of research since the discovery of Honda-Fujishima effect. In this study, TiO2/MoO2/graphene composites have been prepared by a solar radiation-assisted co-reduction method, wherein ammonium tetrathiomolybdate salt and graphite oxide are reduced to MoO2 and graphene respectively along with TiO2. The method involved the utilization of focused pulses of natural sunlight using a simple convex lens, thereby eliminating the need for harmful reducing agents. The compound was characterized by XRD and SEM for phase identification and morphology. The TiO2/MoO2/graphene composite exhibits superior photocatalytic water splitting activity without using a co-catalyst. In addition, we demonstrate the electrocatalytic hydrogen production using this earth abundant catalyst, which shows high current density (60 mA/cm2) and low Tafel slope (47 mV/dec). The hydrogen evolved during photocatalysis was detected by gas chromatography.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2015 

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References

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